Happy 1st Birthday!!!

Well the day has finally arrived!! Brayden is officially 1 year old today! I will be posting this as my "Wordless Wednesday" for the week but as you can see, there are many words to this post. I want to start by saying that I wouldn't have made it through this year without the help of my family! When they say "It takes a village to raise a child" they aren't kidding. My family and my husband's family were such big helps throughout the year. It seriously made everything so much easier...I don't know how people do it when they don't live near family! Yikes!
Anyways, Brayden is such a different little boy than the day he came into our lives. He has so much personality (and attitude) and it is so much fun watching him discover the world around him. He can practically run so when he wants to go somewhere, he is sure to get there quickly. And if heaven forbid you don't want him to...say walk away from you into a room full of people he doesn't know and you pick him up...LOOK OUT! The boy will definitely let you know when he does not like what is happening. I know those moments will only get worse when he is older but for now...they are kind of funny! Brayden is also shy around other people which isn't exactly new but it is something we are working on. He makes this face that basically says "who the heck are you and why are you near me?!?!" when someone he doesn't recognize either holds him or is next to him. The look is pretty hysterical and he seems to warm up pretty quickly so it isn't too bad! He does love women though...every time I go to Target, he smiles at all the women and is a total flirt and then gives any man that smiles at him the sam "who the heck are you??!?" look. Awesome!
As of right now, I don't have an update on Brayden's weight or length because his appointment isn't until next week. For the update on things Brayden likes...here is the current list:
-pointing
-Elmo
-food...everything!
-cartoons, especially the Baby Genius  stuff
-the beach or any kind of sand and dirt
-water!
-being tickled
-books
-taking baths
-being chased/chasing someone
-his green blanket
-pacifiers...the boy sleeps with 3!
-climbing in the dishwasher...this makes doing dishes very interesting!

Here is the list of things Brayden doesn't like:
-having his diaper changed
-being held when he wants to walk
-watching other people eat (he always has to eat when we are eating)
-being told "no"
-things being taken away from him
-putting shoes on
-putting clothes on

And that's about all I can think of at the moment! He is seriously such a happy boy 99% of the time. That list of things Brayden doesn't like...those things don't necessarily make him cry (except the things being taken away from him) and he moves on from them very quickly. He is the best thing that has EVER happened to me and Chance! I am so excited that I get to stay home with him now and watch him discover the world even more! So although today is bittersweet, I am so happy that Brayden is happy and healthy and I honestly look forward to many more birthdays for this little monster of mine!
P.S. Brayden's birthday party isn't until this weekend so I will hopefully have the pictures posted on Sunday! For now, you can enjoy some pictures from the past year to see how much Brayden has changed!!

The day he was born!!

He started smiling and that was the
best thing I had ever seen!

First time touching the pool!

Lobster!!!

He loves the swing!

And the water!

First hair cut!

He is so big that he needs his own chair!

Loving the sand!

Doesn't he look like such a big boy here?!!?

So there you have it! Brayden has definitely turned into a little man in the past year! I can't believe it has already been a year and I am sure the next year will come and go just as quickly as this one has! Be prepared for the monster cuteness coming your way!

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